Aaron Kudatsky, 18, is a sophomore at the University of Nevada, Reno. He was born and raised in San Francisco.

Aaron Kudatsky, 18, is a sophomore at the University of Nevada,...

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'I was out to buy something that no one had, somethin that was unique, and something I could appreciate every day."

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'I was out to buy something that no one had, somethin that was...

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'Once I saw a red Saab 9-3 Linear sitting on its previous owner's driveway in the Oakland Hills, I knew this was going to be my car, even before I sat down in it.'

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'Once I saw a red Saab 9-3 Linear sitting on its previous owner's...

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'The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden and kept the European plates on there, so it had a story with it too.'

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden...

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'The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden and kept the European plates on there, so it had a story with it too.'

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden...

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'The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden and kept the European plates on there, so it had a story with it too.'

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden...

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'Almost two years and 30,000 miles later, this car continues to be my pride and joy. I love washing it on the weekends, making sure it is always waxed and shiny, and then going out for a drive to the lake.'

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'Almost two years and 30,000 miles later, this car continues to be...

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'My first car was a Volvo, which I bought because of its reputation for safety. This proved itself true when another driver t-boned me on the highway. The car was totaled, so I started looking for a new ride, and Saabs were at the top of my list."

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'My first car was a Volvo, which I bought because of its reputation...

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'Each drive I take in the car gives me sense of joy. As Saab originally used to make fighter jets, sitting in the driver's seat feels like I'm in an airplane cockpit. The center console gives you a feeling that the car is really built and designed around the driver.'

Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty -

'Each drive I take in the car gives me sense of joy. As Saab...

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'From city errands, long road trips with friends, taking me to senior prom, late-night food runs, moving away to collegeto just enjoying it on an open road, this car is everything I could have asked for.'

When people go car shopping, they often look for and get whatever is mainstream and popular. In San Francisco, almost every car on the block is a Honda or Toyota.

For me, it was a completely different mentality. I was out to buy something that no one had, something that was unique, and something I could appreciate every day.

My first car was a Volvo, which I bought because of its reputation for safety. This proved itself true when another driver t-boned me on the highway. The car was totaled, so I started looking for a new ride, and Saabs were at the top of my list.

Once I saw a red Saab 9-3 Linear sitting on its previous owner's driveway in the Oakland Hills, I knew this was going to be my car, even before I sat down in it. Everything about it was great: it was loaded, looked nice and was a stick shift - which I really wanted because I had always thought automatics were too boring. The guy who I bought it from originally imported it from Sweden and kept the European plates on there, so it had a story with it too.

I have an active lifestyle and enjoy trips to Lake Tahoe, but on warm days in the city, it is a joy to load the Saab with a bunch of friends, open the sunroof and all the windows and head to the beach. When I have a lot on my mind, I love hopping in my Saab and going for a city drive through windy roads to Lake Merced or the top of Twin Peaks.

It's been a trooper when I need it to be - especially when I am rushing to the boathouse for 4:45 a.m. rowing practice. The turbogauge jumps, and the car gives me the pop for the high speeds I sometimes reach on I-280. The Saab takes me everywhere and does everything. From city errands, long road trips with friends, taking me to senior prom, late-night food runs, moving away to college to just enjoying it on an open road, this car is everything I could have asked for.

Almost two years and 30,000 miles later, this car continues to be my pride and joy. I love washing it on the weekends, making sure it is always waxed and shiny, and then going out for a drive to the lake. Though Saabs are more common in San Francisco than they are in Reno where I go to school, it's a car like no other - which is exactly why I love it. It has unique body styling, is bright red and has the original European plates behind the California ones. It's a head-turner, for sure.

Each drive I take in the car gives me sense of joy. As Saab originally used to make fighter jets, sitting in the driver's seat feels like I'm in an airplane cockpit. The center console gives you a feeling that the car is really built and designed around the driver.

I worked valet parking and have driven lots of nice cars, but I can't feel any more at home than when I get into my own Saab at the end of the day and enjoying the adrenaline rush of getting thrown back into the seats when launching onto the highway.